Chapter 660 - Chapter 588: Thorough Preparation with Plenty of Affection
"Oh! So you're finally going to make a public appearance outside the island!"
"Yeah, I mentioned organizing a remote island mutual aid association, so if that's happening, we really need to meet up somewhere."
"I see. In that case, the Southern Island would be the safest option."
Saying that, Bell took a bite of the baked pudding for dessert after dinner.
After savoring it properly,
"Are you inviting anyone else, Natto?"
"Members of my guild said they'd be visiting the Necropolis and the Southern Island, so I guess they'll probably join up with us."
It seems that now that the World Quest has settled down, they're coming to check out the instance dungeon in the center of the Necropolis and the mining facility on the Southern Island.
"So, what about you? Is Miki joining tomorrow, during the day or night?"
"Mion probably won't come, will she? If that's the case, it's better for us to skip this time. We can do it when Mion is around."
If Bell and Mion were going to meet, it wouldn't be strange for Seth to participate as the guild master of Silver Manor. But since that's not the case, it would be unnatural.
"I see. Once it's normal for me to be on the Southern Island, I'm sure I'll end up collaborating with Bell as well."
"That's fine, but is it okay that your connection with your older brother is widely known?"
"For that, we're just saying we're 'friends who've known each other for a long time across different games,' so it should be fine."
We just happened to have gone our separate ways because of the uninhabited island start, but if that hadn't happened, we would probably be playing together anyway.
"I see. You haven't said anything wrong, then."
Miki said with a smile.
Well, she's clever enough to handle it properly, and Iincho is here too, so it should be fine.
＊＊＊
I contacted Natto, and we arranged to meet in front of the church on the other island tomorrow afternoon, around 2 PM.
"If that's the case, we'll just pretend we don't know you, okay?"
"I'm sorry about that..."
"Don't worry about it. Our side has made pretty good progress on the Dwarf Dungeon anyway, and Leona is quite interested in that place."
They've made considerable progress on their end, apparently reaching quite deep floors—planning to attack the ninth floor tomorrow.
Golems made of metal apparently spawn on that floor, and defeating them drops metal scraps that can be sold or processed for quite a profit.
"Wow, is that more profitable than mining?"
"It's a bit of a mixed bag. There are also issues with inventory and weight capacity."
"Ah, that makes sense."
You can get into proper combat, and the spoils are decent too.
It seems like if you go deeper, you might get even better things.
"If it turns out we're short on people, let me know."
"Ryossu" "Hai"
...
...
...
I led Lupi, Leda, Roy, and Rigel to the back of the ranch, near the water channel.
When they're not in the main house or stables, they're usually at the church or this area, and since the weather is nice today, they should be training.
Well, I asked Rigel, so I know they're there.
"Shal~?"
"Nya?"
"Good work. I need to discuss something, so let's take a break."
"Nya! Nyaf~"
"Nya~"
"Nya~"
"Nya~"
When I announced break time, the Cait Sith who were training gathered and sat in a circle.
I distributed the dried fish I brought for snack time, and everyone said "itadakimasu" together.
"This is for you, Rigel."
"Bururun♪"
The carotta made by Pan is incredibly sweet and delicious on its own. Rigel likes it too.
"Um, about the Kijimunaa on the Southern Island..."
"Nya"
First, I told them about the Kobolds appearing again.
Then, I explained that I want to go deeper into the forest where they probably live, but I'll probably need the cooperation of the Kijimunaa.
"Nya Nya"
"Right. So, tomorrow, I'm thinking of going into the depths of that forest with Gaju."
"Nya!"
"Nya Nya!"
"Nya Nya!"
"Nya Nya!"
I'm happy that Shal and the others said they want to participate.
I was thinking I'd ask them, and if they refused, I'd have to find another way, but...
"Thank you. Also, there are Cait Sith on the other island, so would you be willing to lead them, Shal?"
"Nya. Nya Nya?"
"Hmm, I don't know the children on the other side either, so I'll have to see when we go tomorrow."
"Nyaf"
Either way, I need to meet with the other participants besides Gaju, and I wanted to visit the church on the other island anyway.
"Shou-kun. Is it okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Oh, Shal and the others will be coming with us too."
"I'm glad to hear that. The bandanas for Shal and the others are ready, so could you all come back with him?"
"Ryo"
I was thinking of having everyone wear green scarves or bandanas so our members would be easily recognizable.
Just as the snack dried fish ran out, we all moved to the back of the main house, where Mion, Sweee, and the Fairies were waiting for us.
"Sorry, sorry."
While I was talking with Mion like that, next to us, Sweee was lining up Shal and the others.
The goddess herself is distributing bandanas, telling them to receive them respectfully.
"Shou-kun. What do you think of these?"
"Oh, wow... They're amazing! The embroidery is beautiful too."
[High-quality Embroidered Scarf (Coputi Dye)]
"A scarf made from amama fabric. High quality.
Embroidered with thread dyed with canina fruit.
+3 MP recovery every 30 seconds. Laceration Resistance I, Confusion Resistance I"
It has two types of resistance, and the design is better than the one I made earlier.
The light green fabric has embroidered light pink small flowers, giving it a slightly Japanese-style feel?
"I'll put it on."
"Ah, yeah."
Mion is helping me put it on, but it feels kind of embarrassing, like she's tying a tie for me.
"～～～♪"
"Waf!"
Mion directly puts on new bandanas for Lupi, Leda, Roy, and Shal and the others as well.
Shal and the others seem really moved by it... Well, it's the goddess herself doing it directly, so I guess it can't be helped.